Cefn R & D Biogas

Cefn R & D Biogas is a methane destruction project located in the Ellangowan region, approximately 30 kilometers west of Clifton and 50 kilometers southwest of Toowoomba on the Darling Downs in Queensland. Registered in August 2015, the project is situated within a major agricultural hub known for its rich black vertosol soils and summer-dominant rainfall, which support intensive cropping and livestock industries. The project is operated by Cefn Energy Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the long-established, family-owned pork producer Cefn Group, which manages approximately 7,000 sows across the region.

The project operates under the "Destruction of Methane Generated from Manure in Piggeries" methodology. This involves covering anaerobic manure lagoons to capture biogas, primarily methane, that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The captured gas is then combusted, converting the potent methane into carbon dioxide and water, which has a significantly lower global warming potential. In the case of the Cefn project, the captured biogas is not merely flared but utilized to generate renewable electricity. This energy powers the on-site feed mill and infrastructure, with excess power capable of being exported to the Ergon Energy network.

This initiative is part of Cefn's broader sustainability strategy to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. The project held a Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC102482) with the Australian Government, which has since been completed, indicating that the project successfully delivered its contracted volume of carbon credits. The facility at Ellangowan is noted for being a highly automated, tunnel-ventilated operation, showcasing how modern intensive animal husbandry can integrate renewable energy generation.